Golf-ball.



PATENTED JAN. 2, 1906.

.Nor 809,034.

W. I. THOMAS.

GOLF BALL.

APPLICATION FILED MAYB, 1905.

fizz/6 7212971 M v! %MQ/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GOLF-BALL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2, 1906.

Application filed May 8, 1905. Serial No. 259,319.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM I. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Golf-Balls and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates in general to outdoor game apparatus, and more particularly to golf-balls.

It is desirable that golf-balls should be so constructed that by receiving a hard blow they will be driven the greatest possible distance, while under a light blow, as in appreaching or putting, they will show comparatively little resiliency.

The primary object of my invention is'to provide a golf-ball possessing maximum resiliency when a hard blow is delivered thereon and which will be comparatively non-resilient when struck lightly. V

A further object of my invention is to provide a golf-ball which will be capable of withstanding hard blows without permanent distortion and with a minimum liability of fracture of the cover. a

A still further object of my invention is to provide a golf-ball which will be simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive in manufacture, and eflicient and durable in use.

My invention will be more fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same is illustrated as embodied in an efficient and practical form, in which Figure 1 is a central sectional view, portions of the core-windings being shown in elevation; and Fig. 2, a central sectional view, the layers of the core-windings being diagrammatically shown as of different tension gradually increasing outwardly.

Similar reference characters, are used to designate similar parts in both figures of the drawings.

Reference-letter A indicates the center piece, composed of suitable materialsuch, for instance, as a composition of balata and rubbers0 compounded as to give sufficient rigidity while preferably retaining a degree of elasticity under impact.

The core is composed of successive layers so arranged as to result in the core having a gradually-increasing tension from the center piece'A to the cover C.

B indicates the layer of the core immediately surrounding the center piece and composed of rubber bands, strips, or thread wound under comparatively little tension. B indicates the next outer layer of the core,

the windings of which are under comparatively great tension. The layer of the core surrounding the layer B is indicated by reference character B and is composed of wind ings under comparatively little tension, but of slightly greater tension than the windings of the layer B.

B indicates the layer of the core surrounding the layer B and is composed of windings under great tension, substantially the same as that of layer B B indicates a layer of windings under less tension than the windings in the layers B and B*, but of slightly greater tension than the windings of the layer B B indicates the outer layer of the core, which is composed of windings under the greatest possible tension. The thickness of the last layer B is preferably greater than that of the inner layers, it being shown as substantially twice the thickness of each of the other layers.

C indicates the cover which surrounds the core and is composed of suitable wear-resisting material, such as balata or gutta-peroha.

In my invention the ball is of graduallyincreasing tension from the center piece to ward the circumference and of gradually-decreasing resiliency, owing to the windings toward the center piece being under less tension than those progressively nearer the cover. A golf-ball so constructed, I have found in practice, secures a longer flight than can be secured in a ball the core of which is wound under the greatest possible tension throughout, owing to the gradual resiliency and capacity of distortion of the inner windings of the core. At the same time a ball so constructed, owing to the tension and relative non-resiliency of the outer layers of the core, will not be distorted materially under a slight stroke, so that the ball has relatively little resiliency in short shots and on the putting-green. A most desirable result in golf-balls is thereby seoured-namely, a long flight when struck with great force and short advance when strucklightly.

IIO

Another advantage possessed by a golfball embodying my invention is that the cover 0 is less liable to be cut or fractured under a heavy stroke, as the displacement is transferred gradually throughout the relatively great tensioned outer layer of the core to the less-tensioned and more resilient inner layers, with the result that the cover yields sufliciently to prevent cutting. At the same time the displacement at the circumference, owing to the resiliency of the inner layers of the core, renders the cover less liable to be fractured than in a ball the core of which is wound to the limit of elasticity throughout.

It has been demonstrated by experiment that a golf-b all embodying my invention possesses advantages over a ball in which the core is solid soft rubber or loosely-wound rubber. The permanent distortion of the ball is less, as the graduated core affords sufficient rigidity to permit the ball to assume its normal shape after a strong blow, while a ball in which the core is of solid soft rubber or loosely-wound rubber strips throughout loses its shape permanently by usage.

Another advantage possessed by my improvement is that the flight of the ball is longer, because of the graduated disposition of tension and resiliency from the inner core to the circumference.

While any suitable center piece may be surrounded by the core, a center piece constructed of rubber, balata, and other materials securing a quality of elasticity that will not respond to a slight pressure, but will pos- From the foregoing description it will be observed that I have invented an improved golf-ball which is capable of being driven a maximum distance by a hard blow, while it will be impelled only a short distance by a light blow, which will not become permanently distorted by usage, and which will possess a minimum liability of being injured by the cutting or fracturing of its cover.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- V 1. In a golf-ball, the combination with a core, consisting of windings arranged in layers, alternate layers being under relatively less tension than the intermediate layers, and a cover inclosing said core.

2. In a golf-ball, the combination with a center piece, of a core composed of windings arranged in layers surrounding said center piece, alternate layers being under greatly increasing tension but under less tension than the intermediate layers, and a cover inclosing said core.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM I. THOMAS.

I/Vitnesses:

GEO. L. WILKINSON, MARGARETQMCDERMOTT. 

